Growing up on a farm in the south, Lorenzo Gibbs always thought he’d one day choose a different path in life for himself.
But after some military time spent overseas, he got a different perspective on farm life that has since morphed into something bigger for his own family–and a true gem for anyone in the region who cares about organic products.
It all started while they were stationed in Italy.
Lorenzo and his wife, Summiya, had decided they did not want to live on the military base.
“We wanted to get the full spectrum of being out in the community and just truly embrace what it was we were embarking upon overseas,” Gibbs explains.
Around that same time, their one daughter began experiencing a bad case of eczema and some allergies.
After getting some feedback on how to assist with the allergies, the Gibbses started their first venture into homesteading.
“We were able to embrace what they were teaching us and we kind of enjoyed those lessons,” says Gibbs.
After that, they began talking about life after the military, and what they wanted to do. Farm life was something that kept coming up.
And when the Gibbses returned to the states in 2018, their farm journey truly began.
A Diamond in the Rough
“We initially started off homesteading with just chickens doing farm fresh eggs for us and the family,” explains Gibbs. “And then that kind of morphed a bit because everything we were doing grew into conversations with family and friends about going into the farming business and sharing this with the community.”
So they expanded even further with goats and goat milk products.
“Eventually, we kind of got to the point where we realized that this really was something we wanted to do,” says Gibbs.
Enter Hidden Gems Farm.
Located in Centerville, Lorenzo and Summiya opened Hidden Gems Farm in June of 2020 with ‘pick your own blueberries.’
“We were a little skeptical opening in the middle of the pandemic, but it was quite a success,” says Gibbs. “The community has been so supportive coming out and enjoying our journey.”
Hidden Gems Farm has since added strawberries this past summer, which were also a huge hit.
“They are probably the best strawberries I’ve ever had in my life,” says Gibbs.
A pick-your-own-wildflowers field was also added as a new experience this year, as well as a sunflower field and a pumpkin patch.
Hidden Gems Farm is all about creating an extended family with their customers.
“Our mission is truly just to have a farm where the community can feel part of the family,” Gibbs adds. “We are just trying to provide this community with quality products and educate them on the products that we present to them.”
Some products offered through the farm are chicken eggs, goat’s-milk cheese, ice cream, and white, wheat, and Challah bread. They also offer seasonal items such as apple cider donuts as well as personal care items like goat’s-milk soap, goat’s-milk lotion, and homemade soy candles hand-poured right on the farm.
A Whole-some Experience
One of the things that make Hidden Gems Farm special is the education they incorporate into their farm experience.
“We teach our customers about the animals and the products we produce,” says Gibbs. “We are a small family-working farm. We’re not an entertainment farm. You won’t come and get games. What you’re coming to Hidden Gems for is education and quality, organically grown products.”
That is a big deal at Hidden Gems Farm.
“So many times, we go to the market and things are not actually what they say they are,” says Gibbs. “Being able to provide the community with quality products without the use of any chemicals or pesticides has been really fascinating for us.”
Family is also an important factor of the farm.
Gibbs says it’s the partnership with his wife in this venture that has made it so phenomenal.
“We’re teaching our three daughters how to grow things and cultivate and be successful on the land,” he adds. “Overall, it has just been an amazing experience for us.”
Feature image courtesy Hidden Gems Farm
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